Fox Chapel Woman Admits Illicitly Importing Anti-Cancer Drugs into U.S. for Sale at Stanton-Negley Pharmacy

PITTSBURGH—A Fox Chapel resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawful importation of prescription drugs, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Robin W. Simon, 45, of 112 Riding Trail Lane, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in July of 2007 Simon unlawfully imported the anti-cancer prescription drug known as Xeloda from Lisbon, Portugal. Simon had purchased the Xeloda from United Drug Wholesalers, which is based in Ireland, and directed United Drug to send those drugs to her in Portugal. In September 2008, Simon unlawfully imported Xeloda from Heathrow Healthcare Limited, which is based in Hounslow, Great Britain. The Xeloda tablets that Simon unlawfully imported from Portugal and Great Britain had been manufactured by Roche Laboratories in New Jersey. Simon then caused those medications to be dispensed to persons who presented prescriptions for Xeloda to the Stanton-Negley Pharmacy, which is located on North Negley Avenue in Pittsburgh.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for December 20, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States FDA-Office of Criminal Investigations, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Simon.